Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-01-06
in THE MIDDLE WEST.
A Story Of Life in the Great
Mississippi Valley.
BY ALvA MILTON KERR.
ICoPIRIoHT, 1896, ny THE A. N. KELLOGG
NEWSPAPER CoNPANY.l
CHAPTER VII.

When the moon came very leisurely
from under the world that evening and
looked down benignly upon Openstone,
at no point, perhaps, did her coming
seem so inconsistent--fo at no point,
perhaps, was her light SO evidently
superfluous as at the windows of Mrs.
Julius Popp. For the windows of Mrs.
Julius Popp, so designated since it
would manifestly be untruthful to
more intimately connect them with
Mr.. Popp for the reason that Mrs Popp
held all right and title to the little
house in which the windows were built,
blazed very brightly. The little con-
servatories on either side of the door
way were fairly eifulgent, while the
barber-shop below threw out a stream
of light, and the one small window in
the gable above shone like star.
Scarcely less provocative of mention as
an especial illustration was the pres
ence of Julius. That he quite scintil-
lated, as he received the hastily-invited
guests and led them TO their seats,
were not, perhaps, an over-statement
That the quiet Mrs. Popp as hostess
was eclipsed, or at most shODe but as a
pale planet in Julius radiance, was
certain. That julius, too, had during
the afternoon ms a fortifying measure
been in suspicious contingency with a
cerss,in black bottle in a cupboard of
kk Office, was also well-nigh capable
Of being set down as a naked fact. For
nothing in julius case was more surely
Indicative of such a mellowing contact
than the seemingly aggravated state of
hostilities between his mustache and
his nose, and upon this eventful even
ing they were certainly unusually
belligercnt, the one being quite purple
with feeling and the other utterly in
capable of control. That those present
attributed julius exceeding happiness
of spirit to the proper cause was per-
haps doubtful, considering the cheerful
nature OF the occasion, for that he
should be unusually springy at the
knees, luxurious Of language, and
beamy Of visagc, seemed not at all un-
natural, albeit his remarks by times
were rather irrelevant, and some of his
attitudes quite startling. TO say that
many, or perhaps even any, Of those
present were Of Openstones uppor-
most social crust would be at the very
ieast a use OF doubtful color. But none
we're of wholly bad repnte, and some
were quite as worthy, doubtless, as
that moro highly-reasoned strata SIM
mcring goldenly ut the top Of the stew.
This fact. presumably, was occasioned
~ the counter fact that the reputation
of Julius Popp, lawyer. was Of slightly
doubtful flavor, though Mrs. Popp was
everywhere respected, and their signal
want Of riches. Many weather. men
there were in Openstone, however, OF
a conscience scarcely less elastic than
that which so slightly sweryed the feet
Of Julius. and few in truth among her
women were more truly good than
Mrs. Popp, but in Openstone, rs
throughout the world, the lofty sinful
and the lofty virtuous were about
equally careful that their social skirts
did not touch the apparel Of their
humber countor-parts. Perhaps from
somewhere in the shadow of this gem
eral rule came the soft cloud that made
the brow Of Mrs. Whitney seem slightly
more sallow than its wont, as the Of
fulgent light from Mrs Popp's little
conseryatories smote against her silk
attire. Joel, however, was in high
feather.
''Aha! Mrs. Whitneyi Mr.. Whitney!'
said Julius, coming forward springily.
This is exhilaratingi Brilliant Ahem
Mrs. Whitney, allow me 20 conduct
you 10 seat. Honor me by accepting
this chair, Mr.. Whitney" and Julius
went smiling and bowing rather way-
eringly toward the door again. The
cloud on Mrs Whitney's brow deep
cned a little, and Julius good-naturcd
yisags relaxed into a smile as he nodded
10 those about him.
Presently Julius came bowing in
with n pleasant gentlcmanly person,
Reverend Mr.. Cuttlcton, he was say
ing, this Is Brilliant pray be seated,
siri have this chair, sir. This is uncom-
promisiDgly Brilliant Nothing could
exceed the aiekness OF the occasion,
slri" and Julius went bowing toward
the door.
Mrs. Whitncy's cloud disappeared as
the Reverend Cuttleton shook hands,
and the smile on Joel's face became
less definite. After the room had bnzzed
a time it suddenly fell silent, as Absa-
lom, dressed in a suit that iii him rather
snugly, entered from the dining-room
with a quick stiff step. bearing the
Ether on his arm. Very
brightly danced the eross-eyes OF Ether
under her irlxzes, and around her neck
was lino chain and on her fcot white
satin slippers. Joel Whitneys face
gInwod AZ Mrk Whitney gave him
1corching glance, and Julius was heard
10 muenler' Its slick It's brllliantl''
Then Mlss feslit Popp. aged twelve.
and 0alro fopp, aged two. being ar
ranged Qn either sido. tbs ReYerend